.ODc5.NTU1ODg

I beleive that human nature is so frail, that it wont do to rely upon. But it is almost proverbial for the Californians to entertain a very poor opinion of human nature & in reality they have sufficient cause for men in this country who stood fair in the States?; will steal, swindle & in short do any thing for a little gold dust. I have never seen or heard of Stille in this country but if he ever should approach me, I shall most certainly give him cause to remember me. I think if he has come to this country, that he has taken up his quarters in San Francisco or Sacramento City where he can better carry on his villainous schemes. I recd a letter a short time ago from Mr Chapman, he was well and wished to be remembered to you, both, he is also mining & has done tolerably well only & expects to remain for 12 months longer. I shall return to the States this fall if I live, as soon as the sickly season is over on the Isthmus which will be probably some time in November. Jack & Frank talk of remaining a little longer, though they are not determined. Frank is quite grown and is one of the steadiest old men in the country. Jack is the same old 7 & 6 through he looks a good deal altered from exposure and hard labour, he is never sick a day, nor never appears to feel tired at night. Uncle Harvey? I wish you would advise mother what to do with the tumors on Ghol's head she wrote me an imperfect account of the matter & from the rapidity with which she says they grow, I feel very uneasy about him, from the fact of his being so young and at the same time growing so rapidly. I am induced to beleive that they are nothing more than adipose tumors though they appear to be in

[written along left margin] If I could think of any thing else to write, I would write it on this blank margin. But I dont know what to say, and I still dont like for the letter to go off without being full -- As we have no romantic adventures in this country our fund of news is necessarily small.